Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Structures on western terrace

Continuing north, on the western side of the terrace is the Hall of U Thin and Daw Thet Pyin (11). Built in 1891 by the shop owner U Thin and his wife, the hall has some beautiful screen carvings. The story in front features the story of a legendary bandit, Htilat. According to Burmese legend, he wished for invulnerability and was given advice in his dream by the Min Kyaw Swa Nat (the spirit). Min Kyaw Swar Nat (Nat in Burmese means spirit) is the ancient Burmese nat whose picture is usually portrayed on a horseback with rein in one hand and riding stick in another hand.

North to this hall is the Rakhine Tazaung (or) Arakan Pavilion (12). This pavilion was built by two wealthy Rakhine merchants, U Ba Htaw and U Doe Aung, and has a slightly western look due to the Corinthian pillars. However, the tier roof is definitely a Burmese style with beautiful wood carvings made by famous Sayar Khin of Mandalay. The screen carvings of the Rakhine Hall are also very beautiful. From left to right, they depict the Vessantara (Weithandara) Jataka. Next to this hall is an 8.5 meters reclining Buddha. Buddha’s head is pointing to the north, indicating he is in the state of nibbana (nirvana).

To the north of Rakhine Tazaung is the Daw Pwint Tazaung (13). Here, visitors can see many beautiful screen carvings. The one over the entrance features the story of legendary Shwe-phyin brother from Bagan era. According to legend, the two brothers got drunk during their duty during the construction of the pagoda in Taungbyon in central Burma, and were executed by King Anawrahta of Bagan. When they died, they became nats (spirits), and were worshipped by people of Bagan (possibility because of their popularity among common people of Bagan).

Opposite these two tazaungs are the (14) statues of Melamu and Sakka (Thagyamin or king of heaven). According to legend, they are the parents of King Okkalapa, the founder of Shwedagon Pagoda. They are placed under the white umbrellas, which symbolize their royalty.

North of Daw Pwint Tazaung is the Koo Chein Kan and Ma Kyee Kyee Hall (15), also known as Chinese Merchants’ Tazaung. Just north to this Tazaung, at the end of the western stairway, is the Two Pice Tazaung (16). A pice is a small coin used in the British colonial period. After this stairway and the Tazaung were burned down in 1931, shop keepers and businessmen from Theingyi Bazaar in Rangoon donated two pice a day to construct the stairway and the Tazaung at the end of the western stairway. Hence the name Two Pice Tazaung was given to this pavilion.

Directly opposite the Two Pice Tazaung is the Western Shrine (17) or devotion hall for Kassapa Buddha. The original Tazaung was built by U Aung Gyi and Daw Saw Nyung in 1900 at the cost of 120,000 rupees. However, the original Tazaung was burned in 1931 fire and totally destroyed except three marble slabs that record the deed of merit in Burmese, English, Chinese and Hindi.

If you go a little further to the north of this Tazaung, you will see the Statue of King Okkalapa, founder of the Shwedagon Pagoda. This statue is also placed under the royal white umbrella.

Note: The Shwedagon floor plan indicating these places can be viewed atShwedagon Floor Plan.

Related posts:

1. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Floor Plan and Map
2. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – East side of the terrace
3. Shwedagon Pagoda guide – structures on south and southwest terrace
4. Shwedagon Pagoda guide – structures in the North East
5. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Structures on the north